Public Pentagon tours cancelled due to COVID 19 —>

Good look here at Biden's top contender for defense secretary, Michele Flournoy, who would be the first woman to serve in the position. via @Rebecca_H_K and Ellen Mitchell thehill.com/policy/defense…

Biden officially picks retired 4-star Gen. Lloyd Austin for SecDef

My team and I are working closely with Mayor Muriel Bowser, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer to respond to the situation in Washington, D.C. Per the Mayor's request, I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard along with 200 Virginia State Troopers.

BREAKING: The entire D.C. National Guard will be activated today, putting about 1,100 guardsmen on duty tonight, defense official tells me. Comes after breach of Capitol by pro-Trump protesters.

NEW: Acting SecDef Christopher Miller statement on activation of DC Nat'l Guard. Says he and Joint Chiefs Chairman spoke with Pence and congressional leaders re: situation at Capitol. No mention of Trump. Ends statement noting military's oath to Constitution (via Ellen Mitchell)

Entire DC National Guard of 1,100 sent to Capitol after acting SecDef Miller and Joint Chiefs Chairman Milley spoke w/ Pence, congressional leaders. Govs of Va. & Md. also sending Guardsmen: thehill.com/policy/defense…

Reinforcements have arrived in the Capitol ahead of today’s impeachment vote and for inauguration week. All quiet for now. Photos by my colleague Mike Lillis/The Hill

Pentagon says cost to date to keep National Guard in DC around the Capitol since Jan 6 is $438 million, according to senior defense official.

Just in: @johnfkirby63 announces that @SecDef will brief the press in the Pentagon Briefing Room tomorrow for the first time following the conclusion of the NATO defense ministerial

If you have the time today, here's a fantastic story from my colleagues 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊 𝙱𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚜𝚌𝚑 and Laura Kelly on how lawmakers and their staffs worked hard to get Americans and Afghan allies out of Afghanistan: thehill.com/policy/nationa…

Gen. McKenzie: "I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to 7 children were tragically killed in that strike. [...] it was a mistake. [...] I am fully responsible for this strike and this tragic outcome." hill.cm/QL31bXx

Busy day in Washington DC. Follow The Hill's live coverage of the hearing with Austin/Milley/McKenzie here thehill.com/policy/defense…

NEW from me, Ellen Mitchell and Hanna Trudo: Colin Powell's death prompts bipartisan outpouring of grief thehill.com/policy/defense…

Some professional news: I'll be taking on an expanded role at The Hill after a year of breaking news. Today is my first day as a defense reporter alongside the great ,Ellen Mitchell, and I couldn't be more excited! Send tips to [email protected]

SCOOP: House Foreign Affairs Chairman leading bipartisan trip to Ukraine amid Russia tensions thehill.com/policy/interna…

Looking to speak to any American seriously considering going to fight in Ukraine or anyone who knows of one, please DM me. No need for names if you're not comfortable.

Some really great accountability reporting out today from my colleague Rafael Bernal, who spoke to detainees at an immigration facility and dug through death reports for this important story about a series of suicide attempts. thehill.com/latino/3881755…

But the best part of the NDAA markup is drinking Rip Its with your bros at like 10pm and then slowly spiraling, reaching the point at like 2am where all the lawmakers, staff and journalists are half delirious and just tenuously holding on to the last vestiges of decorum

SCOOP: GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin is holding up the promotion for Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the top general who oversaw the 82nd Airborne Division during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal: thehill.com/policy/defense… w/ Joe Khalil